Walking with the Spirit

Acts gives an account on how the Holy Spirit worked during the early years of the church as the Gospel began to go out. Acts mentions miracles, signs and healing so we know that these occurred, but they are not the author’s focus when he discusses the results of the Spirit’s presence.

There were only a handful of times where He came with a physical sign, such as when His presence came with a rushing wind and tongues of fire at Pentecost. Likewise, the number of references to a “spiritual gift” are very few.

More commonly, the results of the Holy Spirit’s presence were related to the preaching of the message. He emboldened believers to witness faithfully and gave them wise words to speak before rulers. The unbelievers usually responded in one of two ways: they were converted, adding to the number of believers, or they were enraged and sought to persecute those sharing the message. In the midst of this persecution we see the disciples rejoicing. There seems to be joy where the Holy Spirit is present regardless of the circumstances.

All this shows that we cannot effectively do missions without the help of the Holy Spirit. Acts demonstrates that the Holy Spirit was behind the spread of the Gospel.

Box the Spirit?

We can see from Acts that you cannot put the Holy Spirit in a box! He does what He wants to do, where He wants to do it, and when He wants to do it. Sometimes we try to put Him into a box based on our experience or theology. But Acts shows us that the Holy Spirit is uncontainable! He does not belong in a box. He is without limits and confines!

The Holy Spirit is God!

Sometimes when we think of the Holy Spirit we think of something that we can use. We think of Him as a tool at our disposal. But He is God! We cannot command Him when we want Him to move! We treat Him like a tool in our toolbox but this is not who He is. If we think this way, then we need to deepen our relationship with Him!

The book of Acts destroys our boxes! He is not a figment of our imagination. HE IS GOD!

Application:

The Holy Spirit comes at salvation as a down payment for eternal life. Every believer, whether they can speak in tongues or not, whether they see the gifts of the Spirit or not, have received the Spirit.

Titus 3:5-7But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

We need to remain in a continual receiving spirit as the Holy Spirit fills us more than once. We need more and more of Him. Receive and receive and receive from the Spirit. He carries out sanctification in our lives.

The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in many different ways, but always for the glory of God, up building of His church, and the spread of His Gospel of hope.